Strudwick handed 20-month sentence

Sharon Strudwick leaves Court on day two of her sentencing hearing (file photograph)

ABC News: Kerrin Thomas

A woman involved in the disposal of a container of bullets matching those used in the shooting murder of Tamworth's Senior Constable David Rixon has been jailed for a total of 20 months.

Senior Constable Rixon's family, and Police from the Oxley Local Area Command filled the public gallery of the Tamworth District Court on Friday morning for the sentencing.

Judge Colin Charteris sentenced Sharon Strudwick to a total of 20 months jail, with a non parole period of 10 months, for perverting the course of justice by hiding 0.38 calibre bullets.

Judge Charteris said Strudwick acted out of 'misguided loyalty' for her former partner, Michael Jacobs, when she instructed her son James Strudwick to take a black box she'd found and hide it up the toilet.

He said Strudwick's claim she was motivated to protect her son and herself was 'nonsense'.

Judge Charteris said Strudwick 'knew or believed' the box was likely to contain bullets.

The box contained ammunition matching that used in the shooting murder of Senior Constable Rixon, for which Jacobs is currently serving life behind bars.

With time already served, Strudwick will be eligible for release in November.